The former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and current rector of the College of Europe, Federica Mogherini , is being detained by Belgian authorities as part of investigations into possible fraud related to the management of European funds in diplomatic training programs, reports the Belgian Le Soir.

Mogherini headed the European External Action Service (EEAS) from 2014 to 2019.

It is recalled that in the context of the same investigation, the Belgian authorities proceeded to arrest three people. Among these three people is Mogherini.

Also arrested, according to Euractiv, was the high-ranking official of the European Commission Stefano Sannino. Sannino had served as Secretary-General of the European External Action Service under Mogherini, during the period when the Diplomatic Academy was created, the program that the authorities have placed at the center of their investigations.

The case concerns the External Action Service of the EU (EEAS) and the College of Europe.

Specifically, Belgian authorities are investigating the European Diplomatic Academy, a training program for young diplomats from EU member states. It is noted that Mogherini has been the director of the Academy since 2022.

✅Course complete! Last Friday, during our #EUGeopolitics course, participants explored how to turn foresight into actionable policy and lead under pressure, guided by insights from our experts and concluded by the @collegeofeurope’s Rector, @FedericaMog

ℹ️https://t.co/krP7xuBK3H pic.twitter.com/4GZCaaBoO7

— Executive Education, Training & Projects Office (@TP_Coleurope) December 1, 2025

The searches – carried out at the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and authorised by the Belgian prosecutor and the Federal Police – were carried out at the EEAS offices in Brussels, in buildings of the  College of Europe in Bruges, as well as in  private homes, according to a statement from the EPPO. The EU’s anti-fraud office, OLAF, is also participating in the investigations.

As reported by Euractiv, the EEAS and the College of Europe are two institutions directly linked to European diplomatic training.

Euractiv sources in Brussels note that EPPO investigations are particularly rigorous and often lead to tangible results when it comes to financial cases involving European funding.

The  College of Europe, founded in 1949, is considered the EU's incubator for diplomats and civil servants, with alumni including leading politicians and officials of European institutions.

The Commission confirmed that police forces were present at the EEAS premises on Tuesday, as part of an ongoing investigation into activities carried out during the previous term of office. The Commission declined to provide further information, as the investigation is ongoing.

Federica Mogherini, the former High Representative of the European Union, has been detained during police raids as part of an anti-fraud investigation, Belgian media report.

— euronews (@euronews) December 2, 2025

Half an hour ago, I was informed about the events taking place in Bruges, said Herman Van Rompuy, former president of the European Council and current president of the board of directors of the College of Europe in Bruges.